Chile’s regulatory agency, SUBTEL released Resolution 1463 (ley de Homologación Multibanda) requiring special labeling on Cellular devices. In effect, the homologation procedures in Chile will require cellular devices with International Mobile Equipment Identifying numbers (EMEI) to verify within which bands/technology the cellular device can operate within Chile’s cellular networks. A special label will be affixed to the boxes and or packages of each device indicating for example its operability within 2G, 3G and 4G, or any combination of the three. This certification process applies to cellphones, mobile-enable tablets, and any other device operating within the cellular network which also has an IMEI identifier.

Importation of many singular models will require the homologation body to determine within which bands/technologies the model operates. Before commercialization, the range of IMEI numbers for the model will be registered in a database shared by cellular companies, which will enable the device to operate in Chilean networks. Only once this process is completed and the device’s IMEI is registered in the database, will the device be able to operate in the Chilean cellular networks.

What’s more, the label will indicate that the cellular device will be capable of supporting the “SAE” Emergency Alert System: a technology which makes it possible to receive messages in emergency situations, such as floods, fires, earthquakes, and tsunamis.